Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is considering a reunification with his former Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana as he looks to ruin Chelsea’s pursuit of the Inter shot-stopper.
United goalkeeper David de Gea is out of contract this summer with an increasing probability that he will leave Old Trafford this summer. Even in the event that the Spaniard stays, the club are intent on signing a new goalkeeper with the intention of establishing themselves as first choice.
Onana is on a three-man United shortlist for the position alongside Porto goalkeeper and Portugal international Diogo Costa, with Brentford’s David Raya also on the list. However, it is believed Raya is more likely to join Tottenham this summer.
Yet Onana has been a prime target for Chelsea this summer. Chelsea and Inter are already set to be in negotiations this summer over Lukaku, who is set to return to Stamford Bridge following a season-long loan back at Inter.
The Belgian joined Chelsea in a blockbuster £97.5million move two years ago but after struggling to live up to expectations, was shipped back out to the Serie A outfit on loan before the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Other players may swap Stamford Bridge for Inter including Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathaniel Chalobah. Chelsea are desperate to trim down their bloated squad ahead of next season.
Have Your Say! Should Onana look to join Man Utd or Chelsea this summer? Tell us what you think here.
United are targeting Onana, with the Evening Standard and Sky Sports both outlining their interest in the goalkeeper, driven by Ten Hag and his relationship with the player. Chelsea are monitoring a switch for Brighton's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez as an alternative.
The Blues are hopeful of continuing their heavy investment under owner Todd Boehly this summer and have identified the goalkeeping situation as a key area for improvement. At least one of Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga are set to depart this summer.
The Cameroon goalkeeper, who retired from international duty after the World Cup last year, joined Inter from Ajax last summer – departing the Amsterdam club at the same time as Ten Hag. He had made 214 first-team appearances for the Dutch club prior to his move to Serie A.
Onana, 27, starred for the Nerazzurri this campaign. They have reached the finals of both the Champions League and Coppa Italia, despite a slightly underwhelming Serie A season which sees them finish third and a whopping 18 points off title winners Napoli.
